Critical and Historic Opportunity
(St. Louis, MO) – The next Valparaiso basketball coaching hiring could be a critical and historic opportunity. Our friend Paul Oren has covered this extensively and most observers believe Matt Lottich’s successor could be hired sooner rather than later. Who will fill this vital Valpo opening?
Like many others we have compiled our list of possible replacements. Valpo’s history in the Missouri Valley Conference has not been successful. So this unique time in Beacons’ history could be the catalyst to sparking Valpo hoop fortunes.
Valley Hoops Insider believes Valpo should swing for the fences and hire a vibrant, up and coming coach.
Powell and Other Valpo ‘Family’
Clearly the emotional and most desired candidate is Gonzaga’s Roger Powell. The former Valpo assistant has been a part of the wildly successful Bulldogs’ program. During Powell’s time in Valparaiso, the then Crusaders won 122 games in five seasons. While working with Mark Few, Powell and the Zags have won 123 games in four seasons. He was also part of a highly successful run at Vanderbilt.
The former University of Illinois player is originally from the Chicago-land area and the faith component of his life and Valpo’s Lutheran roots intersect greatly.
Oren has suggested that former Valparaiso-connected candidates include Jake Diebler and Greg Tonagel.
Oklahoma assistant coach and former Valpo assistant coach Emanuel Dildy clearly should have been on Small’s short list. Our sources tell us Dildy is not a candidate.
Baylor assistant Jared Nuness is a Valpo grad and a long time fixture with the Bears. In other words, he coaches with Scott and played with Bryce and for Homer Drew. Baylor Associate Head Coach Alvin Brooks III formerly worked at Bradley.
Our ‘Outside the Box’ List
Grand Canyon assistant Jamall Walker works with Bryce Drew, played at Saint Louis and knows the midwest region. While we believe he would be an excellent choice, I am told that Walker has not been contacted.
A long shot is Kansas State assistant and former Link Year Academy head coach Rodney Perry. He would be a far ‘outside the box’ candidate that could recruit the highest level of AAU, junior college and prep school players. After a dynamic AAU and prep school coaching career, his time at K-State has to put Perry on the fast track to a head coaching position.
Current MVC assistants like Drake’s Marty Richter, Southern Illinois’s Brendan Mullins and Indiana State’s Matthew Graves should be coaches getting noticed as potential head coaches.
Marquette assistant Neill Berry was an assistant at Iowa State. With Athletic Director Dr. Charles Small’s connection to Cyclone athletic program, perhaps there is a connection between Small and Berry.
Our final thought is Purdue’s Terry Johnson. The former Butler assistant knows the midwest, Indiana and mid major basketball. Johnson spent four seasons at Ohio State.
My most crazy option would be Kermit Davis. The former Middle Tennessee and Ole Miss coach was amazing at the mid-major level, has strong religious roots and is highly academically oriented.
With one dynamic filling of this Valpo opening, there could be a huge swing in the MVC power structure. We wish Dr. Small great success.
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As we near the closing of the portal window, we've reached 1900. Some of them never to play college basketball again, earn a college degree and some to play at a much lower level than they did last season.
I guess we'll be seeing this in a @RacersHoops uniform this year. Glad AJ is staying in the @ValleyHoops.
